Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 137, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Dish and Drainer

1820-1840 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The function of this large dish with drainer is not certain. The form suggests large meat platters. It is possible that the drainer was inserted to allow slices of pre-carved meat to drain, or to be warmed. It would not have been possible to cut or carve anything on the highly decorated surface of the dish or the drainer.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Dish
  • Drainer
Materials and techniques
Porcelain decorated over the glaze, with gilding
Brief description
Dish and drainer, polychrome with flowers; China, about 1820-1840
Physical description
Oval dish containing an oval pierced drainer with large central hole. Dish decorated in famille rose enamels and gilding with bird and butterfly cartouches, flowers, lucky symbols and shou characters on the rim; flower and fruit sprays, birds and butterflies on the base, with in the centre an armorial device containing the motto 'NUNQUAM NON PARATUS'. Drainer top has outer band rimmed with gold containing similar patterns to those on the rim of the dish, the centre patterns similar to those on the base on the dish with two of the same armorial devices facing outwards to opposite sides.
Dimensions
  • Dish height: 5.5cm
  • Dish width: 37.3cm
Styles
Credit line
Mrs Elizabeth Hirsch Gift
Summary
The function of this large dish with drainer is not certain. The form suggests large meat platters. It is possible that the drainer was inserted to allow slices of pre-carved meat to drain, or to be warmed. It would not have been possible to cut or carve anything on the highly decorated surface of the dish or the drainer.
Bibliographic reference
Kerr, Rose and Luisa E. Mengoni Chinese Export Ceramics London: V&A Publishing, 2011, pp.44-45, pl.50
Collection
Accession number
FE.2-1991

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Record createdApril 6, 2000
Record URL
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